After a ridiculously productive reading quarter in Q1 with 9 books, my jets cooled in the spring months. I had a lot going on: moving houses, projects in my yard, and planning for a child among other things.

Nonetheless, two of my non-negotiables are exercise and reading – even if the timeframe needs to be shortened – both need to happen every day no matter what.

Here are the books I have to share from April-June ’22:

1. Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin is an 800-page tome on Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln seems to be one of the truly great presidents we have had. Lincoln was a master of interpersonal relations, storytelling, writing, and leading. This book was used to make the move “Lincoln”. If you are interested in learning the nuances of the time and what made Lincoln a great leader I recommend getting this book.
2. How To Talk to Anyone by Leil Lownders became my go-to audiobook on the way to work the one day a week I biked into the office. This book would get me in the right mindset to interact with my co-workers. As I published back in April, I think all folks returning to an office would be well served to brush up on some of the interpersonal relations classics.
3. How To Stay Motivated by Zig Ziglar is in my re-listen rotation which I like to play when working through meal prepping. It is surprisingly funny and wholesome while also giving an espresso shot of motivation.
4. Children of Dune by Frank Herbert is the third book in the Dune series. This series has been so much fun to read through. The writing is engaging and the pace of the story keeps me enthralled. Anyone who enjoyed the Star Wars movies would love these books.
5. The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi is a short children’s book written in the 1800s and made famous by Disney in the 1940s. I got it for free on kindle and had a blast reading the lessons Carlo embedded into this story for kids. I’m looking forward to sharing this with my son one day. I’ve found that many older books can be downloaded on kindle for free or close to free.
6. First Time Dad by Steven Bell is the first book I ever went out of my way to leave a bad review for. There was some useful information, but this anecdote read like it received no editing at all. I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend 🙂. I’m hopeful that The Expectant Father which I have lined up for this month turns out to be much better.

I hope this list prompts you to pick up a book, be it one of the books listed above or another one. Both to treat our education like the job that it is and to do brain calisthenics.

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